Entry Level Laboratory Researcher Jobs
New grad laboratory researcher jobs welcome recent graduates and entry level candidates with zero to two years of experience, where strong internship work or hands-on coursework often carries more weight than a long resume. Most openings are on-site roles concentrated in Education, Science & Research, and Agriculture & Farming, with employers like Virginia Tech, Creighton University, and MaineHealth hiring at this level now.
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Showing 5 of 13+ Entry Level Laboratory Researcher jobs
- 538507
- Blacksburg, Virginia, United States
- Mining and Minerals Engineering
- Engineering
- Natural Resources
- Other
- Research / Scientific
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- Wage (Hourly)
- Virginia Tech
Job Description
The Department of Mining & Minerals Engineering at Virginia Tech seeks a qualified, highly motivated individual to support laboratory-based mineral processing, characterization, and chemical separations for mining and minerals research. The successful candidate will work closely with faculty, staff, graduate students, undergraduate students, and outside collaborators and is expected to play an active role in the research conducted in Dr. Aaron Noble’s group, which focuses on critical material recovery from unconventional sources. This is an excellent opportunity for a candidate to gain hands-on laboratory and analytical experience in a rapidly growing research field with a nationally recognized department.
The Laboratory Research Assistant will be responsible for sample intake and organization, following established laboratory procedures and safety protocols for chemical separations and/or sample processing, and compiling and analyzing analytical data. Due to the broad range of research activities, the ideal candidate will demonstrate a high level of organization and an ability and desire to learn new methods and procedures. The successful candidate will assist with development of standard operating procedures for new testing protocols and train new users as needed. The Laboratory Research Assistant will also have the opportunity to co-author products that emerge from these efforts including sponsor reports and peer-reviewed manuscripts.
Required Qualifications
- Experience or coursework in geology, mining, environmental science, or a related field
- Ability to follow established safety procedures and use personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Basic computer skills for data entry and reporting (Excel or similar)
- History of strong attention to detail and ability to work both independently and as part of a team
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with sample preparation and/or processing equipment (e.g., jaw crushers, shatter boxes, sieve stacks, automatic fluxing equipment, etc.)
- Experience in general wet laboratory practices and safety procedures (specifically acid handling and safety)
- Experience with sample collection, labeling, and processing protocols
Pay Band
4
Overtime Status
Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime
Appointment Type
Restricted
Salary Information
$17/hr - $30/hr
Hours per week
up to 40
Review Date
November 30th, 2026
Additional Information
Final candidate will need to be approved by sponsoring agencies.
The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.
About Virginia Tech
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.
Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Annie Lawrence at annie.lawrence@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.
- 538507
- Blacksburg, Virginia, United States
- Mining and Minerals Engineering
- Engineering
- Natural Resources
- Other
- Research / Scientific
Show More Show Less
- Wage (Hourly)
- Virginia Tech
Job Description
The Department of Mining & Minerals Engineering at Virginia Tech seeks a qualified, highly motivated individual to support laboratory-based mineral processing, characterization, and chemical separations for mining and minerals research. The successful candidate will work closely with faculty, staff, graduate students, undergraduate students, and outside collaborators and is expected to play an active role in the research conducted in Dr. Aaron Noble’s group, which focuses on critical material recovery from unconventional sources. This is an excellent opportunity for a candidate to gain hands-on laboratory and analytical experience in a rapidly growing research field with a nationally recognized department.
The Laboratory Research Assistant will be responsible for sample intake and organization, following established laboratory procedures and safety protocols for chemical separations and/or sample processing, and compiling and analyzing analytical data. Due to the broad range of research activities, the ideal candidate will demonstrate a high level of organization and an ability and desire to learn new methods and procedures. The successful candidate will assist with development of standard operating procedures for new testing protocols and train new users as needed. The Laboratory Research Assistant will also have the opportunity to co-author products that emerge from these efforts including sponsor reports and peer-reviewed manuscripts.
Required Qualifications
- Experience or coursework in geology, mining, environmental science, or a related field
- Ability to follow established safety procedures and use personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Basic computer skills for data entry and reporting (Excel or similar)
- History of strong attention to detail and ability to work both independently and as part of a team
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with sample preparation and/or processing equipment (e.g., jaw crushers, shatter boxes, sieve stacks, automatic fluxing equipment, etc.)
- Experience in general wet laboratory practices and safety procedures (specifically acid handling and safety)
- Experience with sample collection, labeling, and processing protocols
Pay Band
4
Overtime Status
Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime
Appointment Type
Restricted
Salary Information
$17/hr - $30/hr
Hours per week
up to 40
Review Date
November 30th, 2026
Additional Information
Final candidate will need to be approved by sponsoring agencies.
The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.
About Virginia Tech
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.
Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Annie Lawrence at annie.lawrence@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.
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- Education
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Entry Level Laboratory Researcher Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an entry level laboratory researcher job?
Entry level laboratory researcher roles reward candidates who can demonstrate hands-on lab skills, even from coursework or internships. Employers at this stage look for familiarity with standard techniques, attention to detail in data recording, and comfort following research protocols. A well-documented capstone project or undergraduate research experience can set you apart from other new graduates applying for the same opening.
Which companies hire entry level laboratory researchers?
Companies hiring entry level laboratory researchers right now include Virginia Tech, Creighton University, and MaineHealth, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Hiring at this level comes from a wide range of employers, including pharmaceutical companies, biotech startups, university research centers, and government testing laboratories that regularly bring on junior researchers to support active projects.
Are there remote entry level laboratory researcher jobs?
Yes, though most laboratory researcher work is hands-on and requires being on-site. About 0% of entry level laboratory researcher openings are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those positions typically involve data analysis, literature review, or research coordination rather than direct bench work. On-site roles remain the majority at this experience level.
Are these new grad laboratory researcher jobs?
Yes, listings on this page include new grad, recent graduate, and junior laboratory researcher roles. A posting is new-grad friendly when it welcomes zero to two years of experience, accepts internships or undergraduate research in place of professional history, or lists a portfolio or academic project as an acceptable credential. Look for language like "entry level," "no experience required," or "will train" to identify the most accessible openings.
Which industries hire the most entry level laboratory researchers?
Entry Level laboratory researcher roles concentrate in Education, Science & Research, and Agriculture & Farming, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. These sectors drive hiring at the entry level because they run ongoing research programs that depend on junior staff to support experiments, maintain equipment, and process samples under the supervision of senior scientists.